Two important issues to discuss today, Exploiting Hillsborough and Tax Justice Network. Do you think newspapers are above exploiting the Hillsborough tragedy? Think again.
Exploiting Hillsborough
Last year Celtic announced they received permission for safe standing at Celtic Park from the start of next season. The club hasn’t spoken about the matter since then, but season ticket renewal information was published yesterday, including details for those in what will become safe standing areas.
Some sharp-eyed operator spotted an opportunity. A bereaved Hillsborough mother was called, information put to her which led her to believe Celtic HAD made an announcement this week, before commenting “It’s insensitive to announce that right at this time, a week just after the verdicts”.
Readers were then treated to comments from Peter Lawwell to hammer home the point, “Celtic has worked tirelessly on this issue and we are delighted this permission has finally been granted”.
That comment was made in 2015, but was printed in the context of being made a week after the Hillsborough inquest. If you want a Celtic comment contemporaneous with the Hillsborough inquest, you’re out of luck, none was made. A comment was taken from the past, dressed up as new – and insensitive to the Hillsborough tragedy – then put to a bereaved mother.
This beggars belief. This coverage did not happened by accident, it was planned and executed with a clear objective to undermine Celtic, and the chief executive in particular. It was a vile act.
Tax Justice Network
Tax Justice Network (TJN) are an international activist think-tank who push to “‘change the weather’ on a wide range of issues related to tax, tax havens and financial globalisation”. They train journalists on how to cover illicit finance and tax havens, and last year launched The Offshore Game, a look into football ownership and transparency. Their testimonials are impressive:
“TJN has done more than any other organisation to put fiscal justice at the center of the policy agenda. Tax issues should not be left to those who want to escape taxes! Changes will come when more and more citizens of the world take ownership of these matters. TJN is a powerful force acting in this direction.”
Thomas Piketty, author, Capital in the Twenty-First Century
“Founded at a time when tax was a Cinderella subject, the Tax Justice Network was one of few voices challenging the status quo. Since then, its energy and international reach have greatly magnified its influence as the issues it championed moved up the political agenda.”
Vanessa Houlder, The Financial Times
“In some ways I feel responsible for TJN’s creation since I suggested in a 2000 OECD Observer report that civil society needed to have a stronger voice in the international tax debate. Well, over these 12 years it certainly has achieved this, moving tax issues up the political agenda.”
Jeffrey Owens, former head of tax, OECD
“The Queen has asked me to thank you for your letter of 4th November from which Her Majesty has taken careful note of your comments and concerns about taxation and offshore financial secrecy.”
Queen Elizabeth II (cough)
So that’s the OECD, The Financial Times, the Queen and Tam Piketty. When a body with a list of testimonials as authoritative as the TJN turn their focus on Scottish football, we should all take note. Yesterday evening the TJN released their report into the SFA, Rangers and governance in Scottish football, entitled ‘Doing SFA for Fair Play?‘
Their extensive report’s conclusions are:
Issue 1 – The SPL inquiry into rule breaking at Rangers
The first concerns the judge-led Commission set up by the SPL into alleged rule breaking by Rangers in the run up to their collapse.
The Commission considered whether Rangers should be stripped of a series of league and cup titles. The documents reveal that the then President of the SFA, Campbell Ogilvie, misled the public and the judge presiding over the inquiry, which led them to make a material error of fact in their judgement.
The fact that Mr Ogilvie (former Rangers director and SFA president) had previously been one of the longest serving officials in the history of Rangers Football Club clearly raises questions as to the motive behind his statements – since the inquiry’s own findings imply that, in full possession of the facts, they would have to have reached a different decision and possibly have stripped titles from Rangers.
Issue 2 – Rangers’ licence to play in Europe 2011/2012
The second issue concerns the grant and retention of a licence to play in Europe to Rangers in the 2011/12 season, when the finances of the club suggested it was on the verge of imminent collapse.
UEFA rules are clear that in order to get a licence to play European football a club must prove that it has no overdue payables to tax authorities. Our analysis of the evidence shows that Rangers clearly had an overdue payable as defined in the UEFA rules and could not have met that test.
However, regardless of this, the SFA did grant Rangers a licence. Although the SFA were informed by Rangers of an on-going issue concerning a large tax bill, they accepted Ranger’s erroneous argument that this did not break any UEFA rules.
It appears that the SFA did little to test the explanation regarding the status of the bill given by Rangers, and subsequent correspondence reveals an unhealthy degree of co-ordination between Rangers and the SFA over the PR around the decision.
As history unfolded, Rangers were knocked out before reaching the group stages of the Champion’s League. Had they managed to achieve victory in the qualifying rounds, they might well have gained the resources they needed to keep the company afloat and pay the overdue tax bill based on Champions League income, thwarting the very purpose of UEFA FFP Articles in respect of overdue tax.
Instead, Rangers went into administration and other Scottish clubs were denied a chance to play European football. That was not only unfair, it came at a cost to those clubs. Also, had Malmo and Maribor, not won their qualifying games against Rangers, for them, the consequences of this breach in the fair play rules would have been far more serious.
On the SFA
Regulators also have a duty to ensure fair play, over and above the usual rules that govern competition between companies. To ensure that competition stays on the pitch and doesn’t retreat behind the closed doors of the boardroom, regulators must make rules to ensure clubs do not gain unfair and unsporting advantages over others.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, in order to execute these functions, a regulator must itself be fair. To preserve the integrity of the system, the regulator must be beyond reproach, and behave in a way which does not produce any suspicion that that they might be exercising their power unfairly, in favour of one team over another.
It is on this last point, that The Offshore Game team have serious concerns about the behaviour and conduct of the Scottish Football Regulator, the Scottish Football Association (SFA).
In conclusion
The two cases that are dealt with in this report, which have nothing to do with the matter under consideration by the criminal court, call into question whether the SFA can be considered a fair and impartial regulator of Scottish football.
This is a question that the SFA has, thus far, flatly refused to answer. And that itself points to a much bigger question: is the SFA an organisation capable of fixing itself and adopting the required standards of transparency, accountability and fairness that fans of Scottish football deserve?
The evidence presented in this report does not amount to proof of corruption, and we do not allege corruption at the SFA. But the evidence does strongly suggest that the SFA is unable, if not actively unwilling, to ensure fair play. Major changes in personnel and governance structures will be necessary if the SFA is to show itself fit for purpose.
The first step to restoring confidence would be for the SFA to engage with UEFA over the clearly misleading returns Rangers’ submitted to them in order to get a licence to play European football in 2011.
Secondly there needs to be a fully independent inquiry, including substantial fan representation, to assess the role of the SFA and the actions of key, senior staff in respect of each issue outlined in this report; and with a mandate to learn from more accountable sports authorities in other fields and to recommend sweeping governance changes to the SFA if deemed necessary.”
No attempt was made by the SFA to tidy up their reputation, they refused to engage with TJN. They are not the first sports body to recently avoid examining issues of financial probity, but in the current climate, this line is becoming increasingly difficult to hold.
On a related matter, more work has taken place on the Resolution 12 issue than anyone will be able to quantify. Unable to go into any detail, I marked your card on this last month and can do so again now. The process does not have long to go.
My expectation is that the TJN report will reach Uefa today, irrespective of whether the Scottish media collude to suppress such a story. The ducks are aligning.
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Mary’s Meals appeal yesterday. “Gerry”, who won the Magners tickets, hasn’t checked his email yet!
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Think it could be a physical battle so would start with, Gordon, Lustig, Eric, Efe, KT, Rogic, Joe Hanson, Christie, Roberts, CKR & Griffiths.
Great news
Our new managers number one signing target just picked up a second yellow rather than a third goal
Price just dropped to £1.5m
PHILBHOY…
Through in Fife tomorrow for a christening on Sunday.
PHILBHOY
Again
PETER T LAWELL
can u come into BV tomorrow for a grilling ?
Oops a mean a beer
I’d give Calvin millar a run on Sunday, scoring goals…why not, plus he’s a mulky.
WC
Wow mate
Just wow
HH
Neganon2 and SOAL
I should have said it’s always a pleasure to meet up with ghuys I’ve met before.
winning captains on 6th May 2016 8:50 pm
Simple question – should I stop buying the Celtic View?
PHILBHOY
It is all BT fault and his rich and famous friends
Love
I’ve been absent for this week.
Mastering Wndows10.
Happy Birthday Paul
I read the Offshore report last night and while,it is comprehensive and damning, I believe it will be filed in the round receptacle.
I was more concerned about how Res12 would be viewed in light of the report.
I’m heartened by the responses by two guys I’ve never met but trust.
I don’t need the inside details of where we are.
I’m happy with the reassurances that BRTH and Auldheid gave.
These are two of the guys who have loaned their expertise and time to the project.
If they are content with Celtic’s involvement and commitment who am I to doubt them?
Mind you the tar and feathers are still being held in reserve.
Kidding.
No I’m not.
Can I start the night of with this
http://youtu.be/RgvihRmyd5o
The worlds dirtiest song
HH
WC.
Very strong post, well done.
BV tomorow, clique meeting? Surely that is not the way forward for an inclusive club? I wandered in ther last Xmas and found it to be a pretty uninspiring venue when there are many better (IMO) bars nearby.
Enjoy the day….looking forward to Sunday.
Blantyre Tim
I am not familiar with ” the BV”
Does the B indicate it’s Venue is in Blantyre ?
I know your father well so please tell him that his good friend Peter said hello
Jmccormick
Not a pub I would go into unless I was meeting the clique
But we are made welcome when ever we go in and it’s usually quiet
TONYDONNELLY67, thanks.
RODDYBHOY, I suspect Celtic did defend themselves.
NATKNOW, a trip to Portugal next year! Hmmm. There’s an idea.
BOABYEVANS, thanks for your kind wishes.
TALLYBHOY, cheers.
!!BADA BING!!, thanks!!
MIKE IN TORONTO, ah, Clare Grogan. Those were the days.
Árd Macha, thanks (I think :-)
NEGANON2, thank you.
CELTIC MAC, fabulous work from TJN.
GREENINBINGLEYINOSLO, I will, thanks.
KEVINLASVEGAS, thanks for your kind words.
HRVATSKI JIM, cheers.
Gordon, you better believe I talk a lot more about your favourite 6 May memory than your worst one. Thanks.
50 SHADES OF GREEN, thanks.
NEUSTADT-BRAW, I will, braw!!
NEILBHOY, the ducks are safe for the weekend. The start of the week will bring new challenges and opportunities for them.
QUONNO, I hear that often. The issue is complex.
LENNYBHOY, I sure am, thanks.
SIPSINI, thanks.
MCPHAIL BHOY, thank you.
EXCATHEDRA44, I sure will, thanks.
SFTBs, many thanks.
CHAIRBHOY, I sure am, thanks.
DIXIEDEANS, well, the roads. Everyone knows the ducks gave us the roads, it’s what they’re famous for.
67 EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS, thank you.
ALMORE, thank you!!
‘GG, thanks.
Chaps
Television show just about to start on channel 4 ( even the poor folk who follow my club get this on the basic package )
The Windsors looks like it pokes fun at her majesty’s family and as we all pay our dues to the good lady we are entitled to a laugh or two.
Paul 67
Happy birthday mucker
Love
BT
Cheers, to be honest, I wandered in there after seeing that people on here had decided it was a venue to be enjoyed.
In all honesty, as I said in December, it was a vey average city centre pub with a choice of brewery owned beers and even more dull wine list. Anyway, most of the punters were enjoying them selves so WTF do I know?
There are better pubs nearby, but that is just my opinion. If any daft bast@rd who I drink with is reading this they will know what a fussy git I am. Enjoy the day oot!
Happy Birthday Paul67 – hope you had a nice day.
Not much of your day left Paul however Happy Birthday to you.
I am heartened by the comments of BRTH and Auldheid on Res 12, good to see the news of what has been done by the SFA is spreading.
BT
According to a Dons` supporting pal of mine, Rooney is injured and Church is doubtful.
Anyway, it is a good night from me. Two rounds of golf has left me sleepy.
JJ
Jmccormick
We are open to all, if you are a real ale man we can always go to the Bon accord for a drink
Whisky ales and wine
Open to all and open to suggestions
Suits Oldtim as it central and he feels comfortable but after a few gins he will go anywhere
As I said mate, open to all feck the clique
JJ
Then they will go for pace against us and we will struggle unless we have Effe
Good night Jim
Hoppy Birthday Paul67
Oops,
Darn ipad,
Hoopy Birthday Paul67.
BT.
Thanks for the courtesy of your reply. I have just worked out , I am a bit slow, that I may have worked alongside a family member of yourself in Bothwell Park in the 80’s , would I be right?
BT & BRTH
Dunfermline’s finest fae the Valley. Not the Blane one.
See you both tomorrow.
Paul
Thanks for everything.
For your birthday , Paul , I wish you relief from those who try to tell you how to do your job.
Contrary to earlier reports it seems Big Nir is fit for Sunday.
HH
Jmccormick
Gas board?
Sister or brother?
Into the Valley!
Interesting election result from London. In a multi cultural city , an old school right wing Tory candidate crashes and burns. In the multi cultural Scotland, the Labour vote slips…
GM
Any good news neebs? ;)
DD
I thought I was being smart by not answering the obvious :-(
The Oldtim could be nipping your head tomorrow so come prepared
Dd,
I hope naebdy hits the skids :)
HH
BT
Your sister perhaps, worked on reception? I hope I am right and not being a daftie.
Many many years ago, the BV and more often The stepps Bar was the haunt of a shower of oul lawyers who used to wander that way when the Sheriff Court was just round the corner.
I suspect that they are all dead by now.
But a daft boy used to go in with them just to listen to their ridiculous stories. Other youngsters hung about the likes of the Cafe Noire on Queen Street or Sylvesters on Ingram Street ( a great pub in its day run by a guy called Mike Kenna who is now up in Aberdeenshire somewhere ) but this daft laddie hung about with the ould guys for an hour or two before going on to the trendier places.
Wonder what happened to him?